Desensitized nitroglycerin explosive



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED A. STARRING, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMINMOSSMAN, TRUSTEE.

DESENSITIZED NITROGLYCERIN EXPLOSIVE.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED A. STARRING, a citizen of the United States,residing in Kansas City, Missouri, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Desensitized Nitroglycerin Explosives, which invention isfully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to the art of explosives, and has for its objectto desensitize nitroglycerin or nitroglycerin compounds in order thatthe same may be transported and handled with more safety thanheretofore.

I have discovered that, when a suitable amount of tetrachlorid of carbonis mixed with nitroglycerin or nitroglycerin containing compounds at aproper temperature, ranging from 65 to 85 F., the nitroglycerin isdesensitized to such an extent that it may be safely transported overrough roads in wagons, and otherwise handled without danger of prematureexplosion. When the tetrachlorid of carbon is mixed with thenitroglycerin at these temperatures, however, and the temperaturepermitted to fall to a point where it approaches the freezing point ofnitroglycerin, there is a tendency for the tetrachlorid of carbon andthe nitroglycerin to separate. For the purpose of stabilizing themixture of tetrachlorid of carbon and nitroglycerin at the lowertemperatures indicated, I add a suitable amount of an oil, miscible withnitroglycerin, such as s'tearin oil, olive oil, or cottonseed oil, withthe result that the mixture of tetrachlorid of carbon and nitroglycerinobtained at the higher temperature is maintained even at the lowertempera- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

Application filed November 30, 1918. Serial No. 264,837.

tures, to wit, those approaching the freezing point of nitroglycerin.Instead of using pure nitroglycerin I may and sometimes do employnitroglycerin with a nitro-aromatio compound such as nitro-toluol ornitro-benzol or nitro-xylol.

Preferably, in proceeding I incorporate the tetrachlorid of carbon inthe oil, in proper proportions to form an efi'eotive solution. I thenintroduce this solution of tetrachlorid of carbon and oil, preferably insmall quantities at a time, into a washer or other receptacle containingthe nitroglycerin or nitroglycerin compound and agitate the same untilthe solution, of tetrachlorid of carbon and oil is thoroughly andeffectively mixed with the nitroglycerin or nitroglycerin compound. Whenthis is accomplished, it will be found that the nitroglycerin has beenso far desensitized that it can only be exploded by the use of asuitable detonator and will not be liable to detonation or prematureexplosion by the ordinary shocks of'handling and transportation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An explosive composition including nitroglycerin and a desensitizingagent comprising carbon-tetrachlorid and an oil miscible with thenitroglycerin.

2. An explosive composition including nitroglycerin and a desensitizingagent comprising carbon-tetrachlorid and cotton-seed oil.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

ALFRED A. STARRING.

